Florida growing but challenges remain

From 2011 to 2012, Florida's economy grew by more than $30 billion, according to new "State of State" study by the Florida Chamber Foundation released Tuesday.

Florida's foundation is "strong and poised for growth" in employment, innovation and economic activity in the coming year, the report said.

In the past year, Florida has added $4.8 billion in business investment, created 131,400 more jobs, and welcomed 90 million visitors.

But challenges remain, including attracting more higher-wage jobs, improving high school graduation rates, attracting more venture capital and dealing with a growing population, the study said.

"We have a responsibility to lead Florida in the right direction to help ensure we continue to secure Florida's future through private-sector job creation and economic growth," said Bentina Terry, who chairs the Florida Chamber Foundation.

While 20,000 net new jobs are being created each month, 13,000 initial new re-employment claims are still being filed each week.

Of new jobs created, nearly half are in industries paying less than the state's average annual average. In August, the largest number of jobs — 52,400 — were added in retail and trade, with hospitality coming in second with 21,900 jobs, the state reported last month.

"In spite of all our efforts for diversity [of jobs], our competitive edge still holds — hospitality," said J. Antonio Villamil, economist and business dean for St. Thomas University in Miami.